Accused SAU Student to be Extradited

A Southern Arkansas University student facing multiple charges in connection with last month's theft of five horses and miscellaneous equipment from the university's Mulerider Stables has waived an extradition hearing and will be returned to Oklahoma where she faces additional charges relative to the incident.

On Nov. 2, five Quarter Horses belonging to student members of the school's collegiate rodeo team were taken from the stables at the university's Magnolia, Ark., campus. A horse trailer and a variety of equestrian equipment also taken from the stables were recovered shortly after the incident. Four of the missing horses and the remains of the fifth horse were later recovered in McCurtain County, Okla.

On Dec. 5, during a traffic stop, Arkansas State Police arrested Jaci Rae Jackson of McCurtain County, Okla., in connection with the thefts. Jackson, an SAU student and a rodeo team member, is charged with six counts felony theft of property in Arkansas and three felony charges in Oklahoma including bringing stolen property into the state, knowingly concealing stolen property, and cruelty to animals.

Jackson has pleaded not guilty to the Arkansas six felony charges against her, said a spokesperson for Columbia County, Ark., Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Butler.

During a Dec. 12 court appearance, Jackson waived an extradition hearing and will be returned to Oklahoma to face the charges against her there, Butler's spokesperson said.

Jackson was unavailable for comment.

Court dates in both the Arkansas and Oklahoma cases against Jackson are pending.